I have a class project. What are the duties of a professional paleontologist?

What are the education requirements and job opportunities for paleontologists?

I am coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Where are some good sites to collect?

I would like to trade fossils of a certain type, e.g., class or genus. Is there anyone there interested?

Are there any real paleontological digs around that I can help with?

Did people live and walk with dinosaurs?

I like fossils and have collected a few but I don't know anything about them. Would the Society accept such a novice to be a member?
YES! Absolutely! Everyone who has an interest in fossils or any aspect of paleontology, is welcome and encouraged to join. We have members with a very diverse background in education and professional experience. Members without formal education in paleontology include blue collar workers, software engineers, (including non-science subjects), artists and medical doctors. We also have members who are teachers (including non-science), geologists and professor of geology and paleontology and professional paleontologists.

I have a class project. What are the duties of a professional paleontologist?
Below are several different areas in which a paleontologist may work. This may give you an idea that the question is not simple to answer. If anything, I hope to provide leads for you to follow regarding each type of work.

Paleontologists work for museums to oversee the museum's collection. Duties include helping with education programs regarding this field.

Many paleontologists work at universities. Usually, they are professors in the Department of Geology and teach paleontology, geology or geosciences. Some work in the Department of Biology and teach biology, genetics, zoology. A few paleontologists are found in to the Department of Math or Engineering and Chemistry.

Paleontologist also work for oil companies or in affiliated companies that assist with the exploration of oil and gas. These paleontologists work with microfossils (fossils so small that a microscope or even an electron microscope is necessary to view them). Certain fossils (Index Fossils) help paleontologist identify the age and formation of sediments. By identifying microfossils from drill cuttings, the oil company can determine if they have drilled deep enough to reach their target horizon.

What are the education requirements and job opportunities for paleontologists?
A Bachelor of Science degree (BS) is the minimum requirement. The BS is the usual four year degree in geology, earth science or biology. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is not widely accepted because it does not require as many credit hours in upper level classes, especially math.

A Masters degree is a minimum of two years of study and often four after the BS degree. The purpose of the degree is two fold. Someone with a masters degree has specialized in a certain field of study and has gained knowledge about the scientific process and how to approach problems analytically. A field of study outside paleontology such as animal behavior, animal physiology, computer modeling or museum studies can actually provide special insight into paleontology.

A Doctorate or Ph.D. degree is a minimum of two yes of study but may take many more after the BS degree. Some people will skip the Masters degree and begin their Ph.D. work after completing their undergraduate work but this in not the standard course of study. The Ph.D. is the most accepted level of education for a paleontologist interested in independent research. Independent researches regularly publish their findings in prestigious journals. Research paleontologists usually work in for universities and museums.

Jobs in paleontology are limited. Most paleontologists are college professors and some work for museums. The government employs geologist and paleontologist at the USGS. Of course, there is always a need for teachers at the high school level.

I am coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Where are some good sites to collect?
Easy answer: Almost anywhere you can find some kind of fossil within 20 minutes. If not move on to a different locality. Some areas are better than others. West Fort Worth has abundant ammonites, heart-shaped sea urchins and other invertebrates. The Arlington, and Grapevine/Colleyville area is pretty sparse for fossils. However, there have been some occurrences of dinosaur, crocodile fossils and ammonites. The Grand Prairie and Irving areas are good for collecting shark and fish teeth, vertebrae, and ammonites. The Eagle Ford Shale Formation produces ammonites with the original "mother of pearl." Any open bit of soil is a potential site. Try creeks and the slopes of hills were there is no vegetation for potential collecting sites.

Late fall, winter and early spring are a good times to collect in N. Texas. The snakes are (should be) in hiding and the 100 degree heat is only a bad memory. Depending on the severity of the winter, mosquitoes are often in full force. So even Texas is not perfect.

I would like to trade fossils of a certain type, e.g., class or genus. Is there anyone there interested?
The Society promotes trading of fossils that do not have scientific value. Trading and selling of fossils is promoted by the Society. However, if the fossil is potentially rare and/or could be of scientific value, the collector is urged to contact paleontologists that have special knowledge of that class or genus. Our purpose states, "...the Society should be a net work for the exchange of data between professionals and serious amateurs." Once the scientific value is determined, it is the responsibility of the collector to loan, donate or keep the fossil.

A fossil may be common enough that it may sell for a little or a lot depending upon how complete or exquisite it is. Our members have interests in all phases of paleontology. Chances are good that someone will want to trade with you.

Are there any real paleontological digs around that I can help with?
Yes, sometimes. Mammoths, marine reptiles, fish and sharks, are found in North Texas. The Dallas Paleontological Society has formed a group, the Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to help museums in North Texas with their digs.
Requirements: You must be a member of the Society. Fill out one of the Dig Team application forms. The form states that any fossil that you find is the property of the museum or entity leading the dig.

Did people live and walk with dinosaurs?
NO! NEVER! Modern day birds are close relatives.